§ Major GLYNasked the Postmaster-General the estimated cost per mile for the construction of air lines in rural areas in connection with the telephone service; and what is the average length of time occupied in constructing an air line, in average rural country where no undue difficulties exist, over a distance of five miles, employing the usual number of men of the engineers' department of the General Post Office as is customary?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on the 18th ultimo to the questions asked by the hon. and gallant Member for the Richmond Division of Yorkshire (Mr. Murrough Wilson).
§ Major GLYNasked the Postmaster-General whether the construction of air lines, especially in rural areas, are ever put out to tender in the same manner as buried cable routes; and, if not, why has this course not been adopted, in view of the importance of constructing telephone lines at the cheapest possible cost if the system of rural telephones is to be extended at cost within the means of the agricultural industry?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONAir lines in rural parts generally comprise somewhat small scattered works which are much less suitable for execution under contract than duct-laying operations which employ a large proportion of unskilled labour. Accordingly the procedure suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend has not so far been followed. I propose, however, to examine this question.